Parasitic dinoflagellates of the genus Hematodinium are known to infect various marine crustaceans worldwide, especially crabs and several species of shrimp and lobster. Some of these species are new host species and components of commercial fishery products. These parasitic species are predominantly found in the hemolymph of the host and cause pathological changes and functional damage to organs and tissues, leading to death. In recent years, these parasites have infected important commercially valuable species, particularly in European waters, US waters, Australian waters, and recently in Shandong Peninsula in China. These Hematodinium pathogens were also reported to affect wild shrimp in Chinese waters and in the English North Sea. These rapid spreads affect crustacean aquaculture industries, where they are indeed a significant threat to the sustainability of the aquaculture of important crustaceans. The fishery products industries are also under pressure from the invasion of this pathogen, as the crab meat produced has a bitter taste, which may reduce its marketability. In response to these threats, this review was aimed at providing a broader understanding of the development of parasite distribution and ecological aspects of Hematodinium. In addition, the interaction of these pathogens with their hosts, the environmental drivers of Hematodinium disease, and future research perspectives were discussed.
Applying visible-wavelength interrogation Kretschmann SPR spectroscopy technique using a polymeric ZnO-Quantum Dot PVA (pZnOQD) layer for chloride ion detection represents a significant advancement in photonic technology. This method streamlines the detection process while maintaining high sensitivity. Molecular analysis reveals subtle shifts in specific peaks of the ZnOQD spectrum after the interaction, suggesting chloride ion interaction with the active layer. Subsequent SPR analysis confirms these findings, showing wavelength shifts in SPR peaks between 630 - 660 nm across different chloride ion concentrations. This technique demonstrates exceptional sensitivity, detecting chloride ion concentrations from 1.0 to 20.0 ppm, with two distinct sensitivity ranges (1.0 - 4.0 ppm and 4.0 - 20.0 ppm) and corresponding values of 1.7221 (R2 = 0.998) and 0.627 nm/ppm (R2 = 0.992), respectively. These results are comparable, with a low detection limit of 0.3 ppm. Experimental data fitting well with the Sips model yields an R2 value of 0.995 and a binding affinity of 3.876 × 102M-1, providing valuable insights for sensor development. This integrated analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of chloride ion interactions with the pZnOQD sensing layer, paving the way for advanced optical spectroscopy using quantum dots.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to cause reproductive impairment. In men, it has been linked to altered sperm quality and testicular damage. Oxidative stress (OS) plays a pivotal role in the development of DM complications. Glutathione (GSH) is a part of a nonenzymatic antioxidant defense system that protects lipid, protein, and nucleic acids from oxidative damage. However, the protective effects of exogenous GSH on the male reproductive system have not been comprehensively examined. This study determined the impact of GSH supplementation in ameliorating the adverse effect of type 1 DM on sperm quality and the seminiferous tubules of diabetic C57BL/6NTac mice. GSH at the doses of 15 mg kg-1 and 30 mg kg-1 was given intraperitoneally to mice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks. The mice were then weighed, euthanized, and had their reproductive organs excised. The diabetic (D Group) showed significant impairment of sperm quality and testicular histology compared with the nondiabetic (ND Group). Diameters of the seminiferous lumen in diabetic mice treated with 15 mg kg-1 GSH (DGSH15) were decreased compared with the D Group. Sperm motility was also significantly increased in the DGSH15 Group. Improvement in testicular morphology might be an early indication of the protective roles played by the exogenous GSH in protecting sperm quality from effects of untreated type 1 DM or diabetic complications. Further investigation using different doses and different routes of GSH is necessary to confirm this suggestion.
Through the regional control programme, Malaysia has been successfully reducing the incidence of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections. However, the incidence of zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi infection is increasing and now has been the major cause of malaria in Malaysia especially Malaysian Borneo. The emergence of knowlesi infection has threatened the malaria elimination programme which the government aims to reduce the overall malaria infections by 2020. Unlike other benign human Plasmodium spp., P. knowlesi can cause fatal infections. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and distribution of five human malaria parasites including P. knowlesi in Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. A total of 112 blood samples were collected from seven states and district hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo from year 2015 to 2016. The samples were examined by microscopy and further confirmed by nested PCR assay targeting 18S rRNA gene of Plasmodium spp. Following the nested PCR assays, a total of 54 (48.2%) samples were positive for P. knowlesi infections, 12 (10.7%) cases were positive for P. vivax infections, followed by 7 (6.3%) cases of P. falciparum and 4 (3.5%) cases of P. malariae. There were 3 cases (2.7%) of mixed infections (P. knowlesi/P. vivax). However, no cases were identified as P. ovale. A total of 32 (28.6%) cases were found as negative infections. LoopMediated Isothermal Amplification Assay (LAMP) was performed to confirm inconclusive results produced by microscopy and nested PCR. P. knowlesi showed the highest prevalence in Sarawak (n= 30), Sabah (n=13), Pulau Pinang (n=5) and Pahang (n=6). PCR and LAMP was not able to detect a large number of microscopy positive samples due to DNA degradation during storage and shipping. Among all the states involved in this study, the highest prevalence of P. knowlesi infection was found in Sabah and Sarawak.
Religiosity and spirituality have previously been found to have significant effects on mental and physical health. This study aimed to compare elderly people utilizing different types of religious activities in their daily routine and the effects upon their quality of life and cognitive function. A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly people dwelling in suburban areas of Malaysia. The Malay version of Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Older Americans Resources and Services's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (OARS's IADL), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) questionnaires were used in this study. Independent t test was utilized to determine the difference in the quality of life and the cognitive function between groups of elderly people that were categorized based on their level of participation in different religious activities. The study involved 432 participants. The mean score for all domain of SF-36 was significantly higher among those who engaged in the religious activities as compared to those elderly who were either less engaged or did not practice religious activities. The mean score of GDS-15, OARS's IADL, and MoCA was also significantly higher among those who participated in religious activities. There was a significant impact on the quality of life and cognitive function among elderly people practicing religious activities. This study proved the importance of practicing religious activities among the elderly in achieving healthy aging.
Vitrification is an important tool to store surplus embryos in assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, vitrification increases oxidative damage and results in decreased viability. Studies have reported that L-glutathione (GSH) supplementation improves the preimplantation development of murine embryos. Glutathione constitutes the major non-protein sulphydryl compound in mammalian cells, which confers protection against oxidative damage. However, the effect of GSH supplementation on embryonic vitrification outcomes has yet to be reported. This study aims to determine whether GSH supplementation in culture media improves in vitro culture and vitrification outcomes, as observed through embryo morphology and preimplantation development. Female BALB/c mice aged 6−8 weeks were superovulated through an intraperitoneal injection of 10 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG), followed by 10 IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) 48 h later. The mated mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation 48 h after hCG to harvest embryos. Two-cell embryos were randomly assigned to be cultured in either Group 1 (GSH-free medium), Group 2 (GSH-free medium with vitrification), Group 3 (0.01 mM GSH-supplemented medium), or Group 4 (0.01 mM GSH-supplemented medium with vitrification). Non-vitrified (Groups 1 and 3) and vitrified (Groups 2 and 4) embryos were observed for morphological quality and preimplantation development at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. In the non-vitrified groups, there were significant increases in the number of Grade-1 blastocysts in GSH cultures (p < 0.05). Similarly, in the vitrified groups, GSH supplementation was also seen to significantly increase blastocyst formation. Exogenous GSH supplementation resulted in a significant increase in intracellular GSH, a release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and a parallel decrease in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in vitrified eight-cell embryos (p < 0.05). GSH supplementation was shown to upregulate Bcl2 expression and downregulate Bax expression in the vitrified preimplantation embryo group. The action of exogenous GSH was concomitant with an increase in the relative abundance of Gpx1 and Sod1. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the novel use and practical applicability of GSH supplementation for improving embryonic cryotolerance via a decrease in ROS levels and the inhibition of apoptotic events by improvement in oxidative status.
Membrane-based scaffold for bone regeneration is vastly being explored to address issues that persist in defective bone regeneration, associated with infection and inflammation. This study focused on incorporating estradiol (E2) into biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun nanofibrous membrane, followed by the immobilization with antibacterial chlorhexidine (CHX) through the aid of a polydopamine (PDA) grafting layer. Several analyses including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wettability, biodegradation, drug release, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity analyses were conducted to study the physicochemical and biological properties of the membranes. The nanofibers were constructed with an average diameter of 1.32-1.33 μm and a porosity of 51%-53%, which is accommodating bone regeneration. The grafting of PDA was not only able to improve the surface wettability, which in turn allowed controllable degradability and sustained the release of E2 and CHX from the nanofibrous membranes. The immobilization of CHX on the PCL/E2 nanofibers has greatly retarded Gram-negative Escherichia coli compared to Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay statistically depicted the ability of the fabricated nanofibrous membranes to support cell proliferation without cytotoxic effects at the cell viability above 70%. These cumulative results indicate the potential development of CHX-immobilized PCL/E2 membrane as an alternative strategy to resolve bone regeneration issues.
Insects such as black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are gaining interest among researchers and the aquafeed industry due to the fluctuating price and supply of fish meal (FM). This study evaluated the growth performance, feed stability, blood biochemistry, and liver and gut morphology of Betta splendens using BSFL as an alternative to FM. Five formulated diets were prepared: 0% BSFL, 6.5% BSFL, 13% BSFL, 19.5% BSFL, and 24.5% BSFL. The expansion rate, pellet durability index, floatability, bulk density, and water stability of the prepared feed have been assessed. Except for the diameter of the feed, all the parameters studied differed significantly (p < 0.05) across the experimental diets. After 60 days, the fish fed with 13% BSFL had the highest final length, final weight, net weight gain, specific growth rate, weight gain, and gastrointestinal weight, with mean and standard deviation values of 3.97 ± 0.43 cm, 3.95 ± 0.1 g, 2.78 ± 0.1 g, 4.63 ± 0.17, 4.65 ± 0.13, 237.26 ± 7.9%, and 0.04 ± 0.01 mg, respectively. Similar blood haematology and biochemical properties, including corpuscular volume, lymphocytes, white blood cells, red blood cells, haematocrit, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase, were the highest (p < 0.05) in the 13% BSFL diet group compared to the other treatment groups. In addition, BSFL had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on villus length, width, and crypt depth for the anterior and posterior guts of B. splendens. The 13% BSFL diet group had an intact epithelial barrier in the goblet cell arrangement and a well-organized villus structure and tunica muscularis, compared to the other treatment groups. Furthermore, the liver cell was altered with different BSFL inclusions; the 13% FM group demonstrated better nuclei and cytoplasm structure than the other treatment groups. In conclusion, replacing 13% FM with BSFL could improve the growth performance, blood parameters, and liver and intestine morphology of B. splendens, thus providing a promising alternative diet for ornamental freshwater fish.
Vaccine hesitancy (VH) is defined as a delayed in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services. This multinational study examined user interaction with social media about COVID-19 vaccination. The study analyzed social media comments in 24 countries from five continents. In total, 5856 responses were analyzed; 83.5% of comments were from Facebook, while 16.5% were from Twitter. In Facebook, the overall vaccine acceptance was 40.3%; the lowest acceptance rates were evident in Jordan (8.5%), Oman (15.0%), Senegal (20.0%) and Morocco (20.7%) and the continental acceptance rate was the lowest in North America 22.6%. In Twitter, the overall acceptance rate was (41.5%); the lowest acceptance rate was found in Oman (14.3%), followed by USA (20.5%), and UK (23.3%) and the continental acceptance rate was the lowest in North America (20.5%), and Europe (29.7%). The differences in vaccine acceptance across countries and continents in Facebook and Twitter were statistically significant. Regarding the tone of the comments, in Facebook, countries that had the highest number of serious tone comments were Sweden (90.9%), USA (61.3%), and Thailand (58.8%). At continent level, serious comments were the highest in Asia (58.4%), followed by Africa (46.2%) and South America (46.2%). In Twitter, the highest serious tone was reported in Egypt (72.2%) while at continental level, the highest proportion of serious comments was observed in Asia (59.7%), followed by Europe (46.5%). The differences in tone across countries and continents in Facebook and Twitter and were statistically significant. There was a significant association between the tone and the position of comments. We concluded that the overall vaccine acceptance in social media was relatively low and varied across the studied countries and continents. Consequently, more in-depth studies are required to address causes of such VH and combat infodemics.